BELLFLOWER, Calif. — The view from the sidelines at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower is one cornerback Tayvion Beasley can honestly say he's had a front-row seat at for the last decade.

Growing up, not only did he have his sights set on becoming a Bosco football player, but Beasley also had someone to look up to on the field as well — his older brother Terrance.  

What You Need To Know

  • The last high school football game in Southern California was played 454 days ago at the state championships in Cerritos

  • St. John Bosco's football program is based on the idea of brotherhood, creating a family-like bond with teammates

  • The Braves return this season as one of the top-ranked teams in the nation and though there will be no championships, they will treat all six games as playoff matchups

  • Bosco opens up its season from Pannish Stadium in Bellflower on Saturday night against Sierra Canyon

"When my brother was a freshman, I used to play for this Pop Warner team, and I used to bring that jersey with me because it matched their colors. It was blue and gold," he said with a smile. "I used to run around, bring them water."

Years later, he has graduated from water boy to a starting role in the Braves defense. He's excited to return to action for the first time in over a year.

To be exact, it has been 454 days since St. John Bosco last took the field to cap their National Championship season with a win against De La Salle. Since then, the Braves, like all California high school teams, have been forced to deal with cancellations and postponements due to COVID-19.

However, thanks to new guidance from the state's health department, the high school football season is back on, and the Braves are ready for kickoff.

"I think we will all feel relieved and like we're actually playing the game again," Beasley said. "It will be so fun, and I'm so excited."

Beasley isn't just excited for the return of live games but also for the ability to suit up next to his "brothers" on the field. The concept of brotherhood runs strong at St. John Bosco, where the team's strong bond is evident on and off the field.

"We're all just super close and talk to each other off the field, in class, in the hallways," Beasley explained. "And then we play the game together, so it's like all of us are really brothers."

Although the team is considered one big brotherhood, the Beasleys aren't the only family to have actual ties on the field.

If you watched St. John Bosco last season, you might remember the last name Uiagalelei. DJ Uiagalelei, the elite high school quarterback, has since gone on to Clemson, but his younger brother Matayo is now on the field and following in his footsteps.

Though family can sometimes breed competition, to Matayo, it's made his experience all the more unique.

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"It's just been so special playing with my brother for the first time. He taught me how to be a better player and leader," Matayo said. "I think people assume I might be jealous of DJ or try to make myself different, but I'm just proud that he's my older brother, and we share the same last name."

The Beasley and Uiaglalelei families are just two examples of the Bosco Brotherhood, a brotherhood that works through challenges and celebrates every milestone together.

They will look forward to doing so again this Saturday night, as the Braves take on Sierra Canyon in their season opener.